Despite some professors’ penchants for preaching old literature as the paragon of literary importance and poignancy, there are other options available in contemporary fiction. In many ways, Chaucer is dead, and a new kind of fiction is on its way as Aggie students and alumni leave their marks, one page at a time.
James Bowser, a senior english major, started writing comics at age 10.
“I initially started writing comic books because I loved to read them so much,” Bowser said. “I liked to read Spider Man, Daredevil and the Silver Surfer. I quickly created my own characters, then scripted a storyline.”
Bowser quickly compiled a collection of short stories dealing with specialized, undercover crime fighters, he said. Bowser’s story collection was complete by age 12. At this time, he began listening to darker music and focusing on the lyrics.
“I listened to a lot of … stereotypically portrayed … `kill, kill, kill’ music,” Bowser said. “I found that these lyrics were truly imaginative and creative. This is when I began writing horror.”
Bowser said his motives and messages differ from book to book.
His current work deals with “personal hangups, fears and self-loathing beliefs … that prevent [people] from discovering their true destiny in life,” Bowser said. “I want people to see that self-image is important in discovering who you are and where you are going.”
Bowser sees himself being a teacher and writer after graduation and said graduate school is a possibility. Bower’s most recent, yet unpublished, book, The Foreboding, is about a black football player at a predominantly white high school who has scholarship opportunities coming from every direction. Branded an “Uncle Tom” growing up, life has never been easy. An ACL injury before the playoffs during his senior year causes major colleges to drop offers. Only one small, historically black university from Texas still wants him. When he accepts the offer, the story picks up pace and an evil unfolds, Bowser said.
Dr. Gideon Adjei, Class of 1975, has written a book to be released in late October, Darker Shades of Light. His book has been optioned for a movie by Hollywood Zeus, Steven Spielberg.
The publishing process was not easy for Adjei.
“It’s a very competitive field,” Adjei said. “There are several people who have written or are currently writing.”
While researching in the library about publishing procedure, he decided he personally would publish his book.
“I spent about the last seven months just promoting the book,” Adjei said.
Adjei said his book is about acceptance and that he wrote to touch people.
“I feel like I can help people because of my many life experiences,” Adjei said.
Such experiences include traveling to several countries and spending time with people in crisis. He was on location to clean up the oil spill after the Gulf War. Seeing people in dire circumstance allowed Adjei to grip the rainbow of human emotions.
It took Adjei five months to complete Darker Shades of Light.
“Most of it was written in the middle of the night, at two o’clock in the morning,” Adjei said. “During my career, I learned that we can survive on small amounts of sleep.”
Adjei stands out as an example for writers who feel they do not have the tools or means to be published, and getting Spielberg to purchase his story is a pinnacle achievement.
Adjei admits that the task of writing a book is difficult, but realizes the ultimate product is its own reward.
Another Aggie writer, a junior history major who goes by the pen name Nolan, offers a fierce insight into writing.
“I’ve written a book, and the book is relentless,” Nolan said. “The book does not stop or yield for sensitive readers. It deals with imperative issues and inner depravity. My book will shut shit down.”
He refers to his book as rude, unsavory and unholy.
“There are no battles in this world except for the ones we have in our minds,” Nolan said. “I have taken the darkest part of the human psyche and bundled it up within the comforting pages of a book, but the book itself offers no comfort.”
The storyline is a first-person narrative told by a pedophile who kidnaps children and sells their bodies on the black market.
“The main character is sick,” Nolan said. “He has no humanity and no redeeming qualities. [People like him] exist in our society, but I’m the only person willing to admit it — and exploit it.”
His book is tentatively titled Anathema and is currently unpublished. He says he will be editing for a couple more months and then he will pursue publishers.
Nolan said finding a publisher to print his book will be difficult.
Nolan admits that this book alienates itself from an audience.
“Part of it is pushing boundaries, I want to explore unknown territories,” Nolan said. “This book is not user-friendly.”